Book of Dimma

• Height: 175 mm
• Width: 142 mm
• Extent: 74 leaves of parchment

The Book of Dimma ( MS.A.IV.23 ) is an Irish illuminated manuscript from the end of the 8th century, which contains a program written in lowercase Gospel book and a collection of prayers. It is located in the library of Trinity College in Dublin.

Content

The four gospels contained in the Book of Dimma based on the translation of a Vetus Latina and not on short time later canonized Vulgate translation. The prayers contained therein are prayers for the sick and come from a writer from the 10th or early 11th century, who made also changes to the main text, presumably assign the scribe Dimma to the manuscript.

The first three gospels are preceded by images of the evangelists who are stylistically similar to the Gospel Book of St. Willibrord. The input image of John's Gospel is the symbol of the Evangelist John, the eagle, and was designed by a different artist. It is similar in style to the Stowe Missal and the Book of Mulling.

Due to the small size of the book it is assumed that it was created for liturgical use or for private study either.

Matthew

John

Cumdach the Book of Dimma

Tradition

The manuscript was initially in Roscrea monastery, but was written as evidenced by a colophon for a person named Dianchride. The name Dianchride occurs in the family of the Uí Chorcrain, who provided several abbots of major monasteries in the 11th century. According to the Vita of St. Cronan, which probably dates from the 12th century, Cronan was the handwriting in Dimma in order, which they then completed it under miraculous circumstances.

The origin of the manuscript as well as her whereabouts unknown until the 19th century. Before 1836 it was located in Nenagh, from where it was sold by the then Norroy and Ulster King of Arms William Betham to Trinity College.